Keeping your iPhone 16 in top shape requires knowing how to troubleshoot common issues. Whether you need to force restart your iPhone, enter Recovery Mode, perform a DFU restore, or use Apple’s new wireless restore feature, this guide will walk you through everything step by step.
These methods apply to all iPhone 16 models, including:
- iPhone 16
- iPhone 16 Plus
- iPhone 16 Pro
- iPhone 16 Pro Max
Before we begin, it’s important to familiarize yourself with your iPhone’s physical buttons:
- Volume Up & Down buttons – Located on the left side.
- Side button – Located on the right side, used for power and recovery functions.
- Action & Camera Control buttons – Not used for recovery purposes.
How to Turn Off Your iPhone 16
There are multiple ways to power down your device:
Method 1: Using Control Center
- Swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center.
- Long-press the power button icon in the upper right corner.
- Slide to power off.
Method 2: Using Physical Buttons
- Long-press the Side button and either Volume button simultaneously.
- Slide to power off when prompted.
Method 3: Using Settings
- Open Settings > General.
- Scroll down and tap Shut Down.
- Slide to power off.
How to Turn On Your iPhone 16
- Long-press the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
- If your iPhone doesn’t turn on, it may be completely out of battery—plug it into a charger and try again.
- If the screen stays black, your iPhone may be in DFU mode. Follow the exit DFU mode steps below.
How to Force Restart Your iPhone 16
If your iPhone freezes, crashes, or becomes unresponsive, a force restart (hard reset) can help.
Steps to Force Restart iPhone 16
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Long-press the Side button until the screen goes black and the Apple logo appears.
Your iPhone 16 will reboot and return to the Lock Screen.
How to Enter Recovery Mode on iPhone 16
Recovery Mode allows you to restore iOS or update your iPhone using a Mac.
Steps to Enter Recovery Mode
- Connect your iPhone 16 to your Mac via a USB-C cable.
- If this is your first time connecting, tap Trust on your iPhone and enter your passcode.
- Open Finder on your Mac and locate your iPhone under Locations in the Sidebar.
- Press the following buttons in quick succession:
- Press and release the Volume Up button.
- Press and release the Volume Down button.
- Long-press the Side button until the connect-to-computer screen appears.
- Your Mac will display a message stating that your iPhone is in Recovery Mode, giving you the option to Update or Restore your device.
How to Exit Recovery Mode
- Long-press the Side button until the Apple logo appears, then release.
How to Use Wireless Restore on iPhone 16
A new feature in iOS 18, Wireless Restore allows you to restore an iPhone using another iPhone nearby. This is useful if your device gets stuck in Recovery Mode due to a failed update.
Steps to Use Wireless Restore
- Ensure the iPhone in Recovery Mode is stuck on the connect-to-computer screen.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Long-press the Side button until the screen goes black.
- Repeatedly press the Side button until the Apple logo appears briefly, then disappears.
- The Apple logo will fade in and out, followed by an animation prompting you to bring a working iPhone nearby.
- On the working iPhone (running iOS 18), a Restore Nearby iPhone prompt will appear.
- Tap Continue.
- A verification code will appear on the iPhone in Recovery Mode. Enter this code on the working iPhone.
- Select Exit Recovery Mode and tap Continue.
If Exit Recovery Mode fails, choose System Recovery instead.
How to Enter DFU Mode on iPhone 16
DFU (Device Firmware Update) mode is a deeper restore method used when normal Recovery Mode fails.
Steps to Enter DFU Mode
- Connect your iPhone 16 to your Mac via USB-C.
- Press the following buttons in quick succession:
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Long-press the Side button for 10 seconds.
- While holding the Side button, press and hold the Volume Down button for 5 seconds.
- Release the Side button but keep holding the Volume Down button for another 10 seconds.
- Your iPhone screen will stay black, indicating that DFU mode is active.
Your Mac will detect the iPhone in DFU mode and prompt you to restore it using Finder.
How to Exit DFU Mode
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button.
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button.
- Long-press the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
How to Disable Face ID Temporarily on iPhone 16
If you need to disable Face ID quickly:
- Long-press the Side button and either Volume button until the power-off slider appears.
- Face ID will be disabled until you enter your passcode.
How to Use Emergency SOS on iPhone 16
Emergency SOS automatically calls emergency services when activated.
Three Ways to Activate Emergency SOS
- Press and hold the Side button + Volume button until Emergency SOS activates.
- Quickly press the Side button 5 times (enable in Settings > Emergency SOS).
- Use the Emergency SOS slider from the power-off menu.
For a discreet emergency option, enable Call Quietly in Settings > Emergency SOS.
How to Keep Find My Active Even When iPhone 16 is Off
iOS 18 lets Find My track your iPhone even when it’s powered off.
- Go to Settings > Find My.
- Ensure Find My iPhone is enabled.
When you power down your iPhone, a message will confirm that Find My is still active.
How to Check the Time When iPhone 16 Battery Is Dead
Even when your iPhone 16 is completely out of battery, you can check the time:
- Press the Side button once to see the time in the upper right corner.
How to Use Home Key When iPhone 16 Is Dead
If you have a Home Key-compatible smart lock, you can still unlock your door even if your iPhone battery is dead.
- Ensure Express Mode is enabled in the Wallet app.
- When your iPhone is dead, simply hold it near your smart lock to unlock.
Final Thoughts
The iPhone 16 series comes with powerful recovery options to troubleshoot common issues. Whether you need to force restart, enter Recovery or DFU Mode, or use wireless restore, knowing these steps can help you fix problems quickly.
Need more iPhone tips? Let us know in the comments!
Jeff Benjamin
